Father David Knight, a prolific author, a deep thinker, and a passionate priest. Knight died March 21st, 2021 in Guatemala where he had been since Jan. 2020 at the invitation of Bishop (now Cardinal) Alvaro Rammacini. He was ministering to the community and the Poor Clare nuns at their monastery in Huehuetenango.

Friends in Memphis had chartered a plane to get him back home when he fell ill, but he never made it. He died peacefully while sleeping and surrounded by prayers of the community at the monastery. He had just turned 90 last week. His remains were positive for COVID-19. He was buried at the Poor Clare Monastery in Guatemala.

Cardinal Ramazzini came in the morning and gave Father Knight communion and came back again in the afternoon right after Father died according to Sister Agnes, one of the nuns at the monastery in Huehuetenango. Sister Agnes lived at the monastery in Memphis before they established the monastery in Guatemala. She said “because we found out AFTER he died, in fact, the morning of the next day, that he tested positive for COVID, he had to be buried within 8 hours. It took 4 men 5 hours to dig the grave. We are delighted that he is here with us now.”

Father Knight lived for many years at the Monastery of St. Clare with the Poor Clare Sisters, in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis, until Jan 2020 when it was shut down. In May 2018 the Vatican issued guidelines that all contemplative communities should have at least seven members. The Monastery of St. Clare had dwindled to four.

In his late 80’s he reluctantly packed up his life’s work and the tiny space he lived in at the monastery and left.

He wrote dozens of books, gave retreats all over the world, and served as a parish priest here in Memphis. He loved the Hispanic community and worked very closely with them in his retirement; he was fluent in Spanish. Many in the Hispanic community here in Memphis rebuilt much of his retreat center where they held retreats led by him until the monastery was closed.

He believed so fully in the sacredness of the Catholic Mass that he used to say, if people fully understood what transpires in the Mass and the many gifts that it offered you, people would be lined up around the building for blocks waiting to get in.

The often disheveled, aging priest had a great sense of humor and was aware that his time on earth was limited. “Everybody’s got a ticket, but I’ve got my boarding pass. I’m just waiting for the flight to be called,” Knight said at his last mass at the Poor Clare’s.

He is remembered by his followers as one of the most generous, loving, and selfless priests in our community. He was very dedicated to the spirit of the faith and love; always love.

By Memphis Photojournalist Karen Pulfer Focht ©

FUNERAL MASS PLANS for Father David Knight: Diocese is offering a Mass to commemorate the life of Fr. Knight. The Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday, May 8th, 2021 at Calvary Cemetery in Memphis. Due to Covid restrictions, you are asked to bring a chair for this outdoor Mass.

In addition, Immersed in Christ Board Members hope there will be a post-pandemic, in person, celebration of Fr. Knight’s life set for Saturday, September 4th, 2021 the 60th Anniversary weekend of his Ordination. Details to follow as they are known.

One of his favorite prayers was the WIT Prayer:

“Lord, I give you my body!”

Live this day with me, live this day in me, life this day through me.

Let me think with your thoughts and speak with your words and act as your body on earth.

With, in and through: WIT.

THERE HAS BEEN INQUIRY ABOUT PURCHASING PRINTS. If you would like to buy one of the images in the photo gallery, go to this link:
https://karenpulferfocht.photoshelter.com/gallery/Father-David-Knight/G0000FyLfb70p.YM
From there choose your image, hit Add To Cart, then the upper right-hand tab is prints, products and downloads. Choose what you like in the way of size or products. Proceeds will be donated to his non-profit Immersed in Christ

LINK TO NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER OBITUARY: https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/memphis-priest-who-was-popular-retreat-leader-chaplain-author-dies-90

FROM DAVID WATERS OBIT STORY: “He did not waste time harping about what was wrong with the church; he simply built upon what was right and good, knowing that the heart of the Catholic faith was dynamic, life-giving, and engaged with the least and the lost.” https://dailymemphian.com/section/metrospirit-of-memphis/article/20835/david-knight-memphis-priest-prolific-writer-dies

You can see more photos and read my story here below about the closing of the monastery.

http://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/poor-clares-leave-memphis

https://www.immersedinchrist.org/ is a website listing of all of Father David M Knight's books, booklets, articles, workbooks, and audio/video files. Immersed in Christ his complete, systematic plan for growing into the fullness of Christian Life.

BELOW ARE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM SISTER AGNES OF FATHER KNIGHTS LAST HOURS AND HIS FUNERAL MASS. (NOT FOR REPRODUCTION OR PUBLICATION)

Catholic Diocese of Memphis issued OBIT below:

https://issuu.com/karenpulferfocht-photojournalist/docs/frdavidknightobituarymarch2121